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North Wales school slashes carbon emissions by half with active travel push

One school's simple switch from cars to scooters and bikes transformed emissions—and kids' health. Could this be the future of green education?

The image shows a group of people riding bicycles down a street next to a yellow school bus. On the...
The image shows a group of people riding bicycles down a street next to a yellow school bus. On the right side of the street, there is a wall with plants and a person walking on the footpath. In the background, there are trees, poles, boards with text, a fence, grass, buildings, and a sky with clouds.

North Wales school slashes carbon emissions by half with active travel push

A primary school in North Wales has cut its carbon emissions by nearly half after joining a government-backed scheme. Ysgol Tir Morfa reduced its CO₂ output by 500kg in just four months by encouraging pupils to walk, cycle, or scoot to school. The changes came as part of the Welsh Government's Active Journeys Programme, which promotes sustainable travel among children. The school first signed up to the programme in 2018, aiming to shift away from car and minibus journeys. With funding from the initiative, Ysgol Tir Morfa bought a fleet of scooters for pupils to use. Teachers also adjusted their approach during the pandemic, planning more local trips to Rhyl to keep travel active and sustainable.

Between September and December 2020, the school slashed minibus mileage by 73% for outings. This, combined with fewer car trips for daily commutes, led to a 96% drop in overall CO₂ emissions compared to 2019. The programme not only helped the environment but also gave children the skills and confidence to travel safely on foot, by bike, or scooter.

Hannah Meulman, North Wales Active Journeys Officer, highlighted the school's dedication to active travel. She noted how the changes improved pupils' health and wellbeing while tackling air pollution around the school. The school's efforts show how small changes in travel habits can make a measurable difference. By cutting minibus use and promoting walking, cycling, and scooting, Ysgol Tir Morfa reduced emissions and supported children's physical activity. The programme continues to encourage similar shifts in schools across Wales.

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